Is it worth buying a diagnostic scanner?

[sharpyboy]

Hi guys

I am thinking of buying a diagnostic scanner and would like to know your feelings about how useful they really are. I have bought a 2006 facelift z4 e85 se version so not many toys or gadgets to go wrong. I understand I should have bought a scanner before buying the car to check it out but didn't think this was needed as buying from dealer not private. If I do get a warning light in the future and I have a scanner it will tell me what the error code is but I will still have to take it to a garage to have it fixed as I am not a mechanic and don't want to do major repairs myself. Will a garage take my diagnostic evidence or insist on doing there own? Are there faults that can be easily sorted and reset making the tool a viable purchase?

I look forward to any responses you may have.

 

[Anonymous]

For the sake of £8 I consider it an invaluable purchase. It might turn up something that you could easily fix yourself instead of forking out for a privet repair

 

[C58]

i think most people would agree its a piece of kit worth having, theyre relatively inexpensive these days so no reason not to.
the reason most people would have one is that alot of the errors thrown out are easy fixes if you know what youre trying to fix where as if every time you get an error you take it to the garage you'll be down a fair few £ before youve even started. unless you know a good indy any major garage will always do their own diagnostics (and charge you for it) - which makes sense as they usually warranty their work so from their point of view they want to make sure what theyre fixing is actually whats wrong with.

TLDR? get a reader

 

[alane29]

I bought the INPA software CDs and lead of ebay for about £40 ,has saved me money a few times resetting air bag lights ,diagnosing faults etc

 

[Chris_D]

i think most people would agree its a piece of kit worth having, theyre relatively inexpensive these days so no reason not to.
the reason most people would have one is that alot of the errors thrown out are easy fixes if you know what youre trying to fix where as if every time you get an error you take it to the garage you'll be down a fair few £ before youve even started. unless you know a good indy any major garage will always do their own diagnostics (and charge you for it) - which makes sense as they usually warranty their work so from their point of view they want to make sure what theyre fixing is actually whats wrong with.

TLDR? get a reader

+1
Invaluable IMO.
I'm in the process of trying to solve a rough idle problem for which, even after diagnostics isnt the easiest to find a solution.
Get a bmw specific scanner as generics will give u generic non-bmw obd codes.
INPA, DIS, SSS, Carly, BMW Scanner by PA soft is what i'll be using when my cable arrives.
Also have a bluetoot obd dongle on order to use with Carly for when I'm out and about.
Will be doing wtite-ups on experience gleaned from all in due course in this thread:
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=90194

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Yes, saves you at least what you pay the first time you need it.

 

[swilsco]

Can anyone recommend a cheap diagnostic tool off ebay?

 

[midway]

Have a look at this thread.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=87071&p=1287367#p1287367